Match Preview: Bristol City vs Brentford

We make a Boxing Day trip down the M4 to face Bristol City this afternoon, here's all the information you need ahead of today's game.

THE OPPOSITION

Bristol City appear to have turned a corner in the last month or so, putting together a five-game unbeaten run to ease, what had been growing, pressure on boss Lee Johnson. Home form remains an issue for The Robins, with the Bristolian faithful seeing just one win since September and only 12 goals all term.

Goals in general have been problematic for City with only Famara Diedhiou and Andreas Weimann netting more than three in the league this term.

Over the summer, Bristol lost several key members of their squad, most notably in defence. Joe Bryan moved to newly promoted Fulham, Aden Flint was sold to Middlesbrough and Luke Steele moved on a free to Nottingham Forest. Bobby Reid was one of the most high profile players to leave, getting a £10 million move to Premier League new boys Cardiff City.

Coming in, Marley Watkins from Norwich City and Adam Webster from Ipswich Town added Championship experience. Andreas Weimann also joined from Derby County.

Only two players came in on loan deals, including fullback Jay Dasilva - the brother of Brentford B defender Cole Dasilva. Chelsea's Tomas Kalas also joined to bolster the defensive side of the team.

TEAM NEWS

Bristol City will assess Nathan Baker ahead of today's game while Marley Watkins will be looking to return after a dead leg.

For Brentford, Chris Mepham is a doubt after picking up a knock on Saturday while Emiliano Marcondes and Lewis Macleod are set to miss out.

THE MANAGER

Son of Cheltenham Town boss Gary, Lee played for his father at Yeovil Town and Bristol City. In his 13-year playing career, he also appeared for Heart of Midlothian, Derby County, Chesterfield and Kilmarnock. He won promotion twice under Gary at Yeovil Town and was part of the Bristol City side that made the Championship Play-Off final in 2008, losing 1-0 to Hull City. Lee also picked up a Scottish League Cup title while with Kilmarnock.

Lee became the youngest manager in the Football League in March 2013 when he took over at League One side Oldham Athletic. He led them to safety in his first season and their highest finishing position in five years in his second season before departing for Barnsley in February 2015 with The Latics ninth in League One. After initially struggling with The Tykes, he won seven of his last eight league matches, setting Barnsley on their way towards the Play-Off places, before replacing Cotterill at Ashton Gate in February 2016.

LAST TIME OUT

Neal Maupay was the match-winner on our most recent trip to BS3 back in April

Bristol City 1 Brentford 1

Brentford came from behind to earn a Boxing Day draw with Bristol City. The Bees trailed to a first half goal before Neal Maupay lashed home early in the second period to bring his team level with his 15th of the season. And with neither team able to get the game’s crucial third goal, the spoils were shared.

It was a point that Brentford had to work hard for but was the least they deserved. Although there were a few spells when City were on top, The Bees had the better of it generally and certainly had the clearer chances. They came back well after conceding against the run of play and stood up strong in the later stages when the home side pushed for the winner to take a point back to West London.

Although City had the first chance of the game, Famara Diédhiou heading wide on the stretch, Brentford probably started the brighter. They were able to use their wing backs – particularly Henrik Dalsgaard on the right – to stretch the home defence. They worked hard out of possession to stop City playing through midfield and they had the upper hand in terms of territory and chances in the opening quarter.

Saïd Benrahma lashed over after a nice turn and was then just unable to reach when Ollie Watkins drove in to the penalty area and fired low across the face of goal. Dalsgaard then saw a shot blocked and, after the ball was recycled, the Danish wing back drilled in a cross that just eluded Maupay. Brentford would have been content with their position 20 minutes in, but they fell behind against the run of play when they failed to defend a corner.

Jamie Paterson delivered it from the City left and his delivery found Eros Pisano unmarked eight yards out. The header hit Yoann Barbet and bounced up awkwardly, past Daniel Bentley and in to the net. It was a goal out of nothing and one Brentford would have been annoyed to conceded but they reacted superbly to falling behind.

With Romaine Sawyers pulling the strings in midfield, Brentford took control of the game. They dominated possession and pushed on, patiently probing for openings. They had a chance to equalised when, after a quick break, Maupay set up a shooting chance for Kamohelo Mokotjo, but he lashed wide from the edge of the penalty area. A bouncing Watkins shot was saved by Niki Mäenpää after Dalsgaard had picked up a loose ball and the resulting corner was flicked powerfully on by Barbet but Maupay inexplicably handed as team mates arrived at the far post.

A Callum O’Dowda headed was easily for Bentley at the other end but Brentford were doing all the attacking, pushing City back and finding gaps as they exploited the width of the pitch. A Benrahma shot was deflected wide when it may have been arrowing in and Maupay when then unable to get over to head in a cross after more good work on the left. Watkins had a shot blocked after Ezri Konsa had stepped out of defence and through a couple of challenges and then lashed wide of the far post after leading a break on the left.

That chance came after a coming together between Mokotjo and Josh Brownhill in the centre of midfield when the City man appeared, at first glance, to have launched himself – out of control – in to a tackle with both legs extended. Both players got the ball and Mokotjo’s timing enabled him to set Watkins away, but many other referees would have dished out a harsh punishment while David Webb let play go on and didn’t even speak to the City man. That leniency was a feature of the first period with little tugs and pulls going completely unpunished while blocking and ankle taps went unseen.

Brentford went in to the break a goal down but both teams could have scored in the dying seconds of the half. City’s chance came after a fortunate ricochet and Bentley was far more alert than Tomáš Kalas to get to the loose ball. Brentford’s was far more clear-cut. For the umpteenth time, Dalsgaard raced in to space on the right and was able to pick out a pass, he found Watkins eight yards out but the shot flew over the bar when the net should have bulged.

Eight minutes in to the second half, however, Mäenpää was beaten. Dalsgaard’s throw was hooked in to the middle by Watkins and Maupay smashed in it on the volley from ten yards. The ball was past Mäenpää before he could move, Maupay had his 15th of the season and Brentford were, deservedly, level.

Brentford had tried to get on the front foot at the start of the second period, but the game had been even after the break. City had reinforced their midfield, tucking their wide players in and asking them to track the Brentford wing backs. This made it harder for Brentford to build the spells of possession they had in the first half.

Bentley had made a comfortable save low to his left early in the half, when Paterson tried an ambitious long-range effort, and City reacted well to Brentford’s goal. Diédhiou should have equalised when he met a cross from the left ten yards out, but he powerfully planted his header wide of the target with Bentley stationary. The City striker could have scored again soon after when he got on to a deep ball and behind Barbet but Moses Odubajo came across to cover and prevent the shot.

But Bretford weathered that storm and regained the initiative as the game moved past the hour mark. They began to take control of the centre of the pitch again and threatened on the flanks. Benrahma lashed high and wide when well-placed before Watkins sting the palms of Mäenpää with a shot from the edge of the penalty area after good work by Odubajo. Maupay went closer still when he picked up a Sawyers lay off and shot from 20 yards, the effort whistling inches past the post with Mäenpää scrambling.

Substitute Sergi Canós saw a shot blocked before Watkins drilled across the face of goal as the minutes ticked down. And City also had their chances to win the game. Adam Webster flicked a header wide and Josh Brownhill fired over from distance before Matty Taylor nodded down to Diédhiou on the edge of the penalty area, but he fired wide. They had another chance in the dying seconds when Webster got a tiny touch to a curling free kick that could have taken it past Bentley, but the Brentford goalkeeper made himself big, got his chest in the way and ensured it finished all square.

Bristol City tickets go off sale post-match on Saturday

We head to Ashton Gate Stadium on Wednesday 26 December and will be looking to bring three points back to London. So make sure you give Thomas Frank the support this Christmas.

Please note that this is an all ticket game so you must purchase tickets in advance as there will be no pay on the day sales. Supporters are also encouraged to collect tickets from Griffin Park before 5.30pm on Saturday, rather than collecting at Ashton Gate on matchday.

ON SALE DATES:

Season Ticket Holders: Wednesday 28 November from 10am (four per person)Please login to your ticketing account to get your priority access

Club Members: Friday 30 November from 10am (four per person) Please login to your ticketing account to get your priority access

General Sale: Monday 3 December from 10am (four per person)

Full ticket allocation:1,242 tickets

Ticket sales end Saturday 22 December at 5.30pm

PRICES

Adult

Senior (65+)

Under 25

Under 22

Under 19

Under 12

£32

£29

£29

£26

£15

£10

Disabled supporters are to pay the relevant price category and if required their carer will receive a free ticket. The DLA level required for a free carer is medium-high DLA rate or PIP enhanced rate.

If supporters have any disability or access enquiries please contact Gareth Torpy, the Disability Liaison Officer on 0117 9630 600 or email supporterservices@bristol-sport.co.uk. There are a limited number of wheelchair car parking spaces on site at the cost of £15. These need to be booked in advance by contacting Gareth.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

Coaches depart from Layton Road Car Park at 10.15am. Book by phone on 0203 665 7371, Monday to Friday, 12pm-8pm.

Travel Club Members

Season Ticket Holdersand Club Members

GeneralSale

Prices

£17

£19

£21

Join the Bees Travel Club and save on coach fares. Membership is just £25 for the season, free for those 12 and under, and affords members a number of benefits. For further information please email lindajgilham@icloud.com.

CUSTOMER CHARTER

Note: All tickets are subject to the Terms and Conditions of issue. The purchase of a ticket constitutes acceptance of these Terms and Conditions and acceptance of the Ground Regulations. Members discount does not apply to away games.